Lord Jim

A water-clerk need not pass an examination in anything under the sun, but he must haveAbility in the abstract and demonstrate it practically. His work consists in racing under sail, steam, or oars against other water-clerks for any ship about to anchor, greeting her captaincheerily, forcing upon him a card-the business card of the ship-chandler-and on his firstvisit on shore piloting him firmly but without ostentation to a vast, cavern-like shop whichis full of things that are eaten and drunk on board ship; where you can get everything tomake her seaworthy and beautiful, from a set of chain-hooks for her cable to a book of goldleaf for the carvings of her stern; and where her commander is received like a brother by aship-chandler he has never seen before. There is a cool parlour, easy-chairs, bottles, cigars, writing implements, a copy of harbour regulations, and a warmth of welcome that melts thesalt of a three months' passage out of a seaman's heart. The connection thus begun is keptup, as long as the ship remains in harbour, by the daily visits of the water-clerk. To thecaptain he is faithful like a friend and attentive like a son, with the patience of Job, theunselfish devotion of a woman, and the jollity of a boon companion. Later on the bill is sentin. It is a beautiful and humane occupation. Therefore good water-clerks are scarce. When awater-clerk who possesses Ability in the abstract has also the advantage of having beenbrought up to the sea, he is worth to his employer a lot of money and some humouring. Jimhad always good wages and as much humouring as would have bought the fidelity of afiend. Nevertheless, with black ingratitude he would throw up the job suddenly and depart.To his employers the reasons he gave were obviously inadequate. They said 'Confoundedfool ' as soon as his back was turned. This was their criticism on his exquisite sensibilit